Damper-regulator.



No. '774,179. PATENTED NOV. 8, 1904. E. K. HUTOHISON.

DAMPER REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1903 NO MODEL.

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INVENTOR UNITED STATES Patented November 8, 1904:.

PATENT OFFICE.

EPHRAIM K. HUTOHISON, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JOSEPH E. HUTOHISON, OF LONGMONT, COLORADO.

DAMPER-REGU LATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,179, dated November 8, 1904. Application filed August 3, 1903. Serial No. 168,073. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EPHRAIM K. HUTOHI- soN. a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, in the county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Damper-Regulators,

of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in steam-boiler-furnace-damper regulators.

The object of my improvements is to provide a compact and inexpensive device of the character hereinafter more fully described, having all its various parts accessible, and which will when used in connection with a steam-boiler automatically operate in accordance with the varying pressure of steam to open or close the damper or dampers in the furnace, smoke-stack, or otherwise, and thereby regulate the draft in such manner as to control the pressure of steam in the boiler.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in elevation of my improved damperregulator secured to abracket; Fig. 2, avertical section of the main cylinder and piston working therein; Fig. 3, a detail view in vertical section of a casing and an auxiliary cylinder connected therewith; Fig. 4, a view in elevation of the diaphragm and its chamber, the latter being in section; Fig. 5, a view in elevation of the auxiliary cylinder, a lower portion of same being broken away to show its valve in section; Fig. 6, a detail in side elevation of the casing shown in section in Fig. 3; Fig. 7, a view of a turnbuckle, shown in section and on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 8, a view, partly in elevation and partly in section. showing the manner of connecting my device with a damper.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 represents a bracket adapted to be secured to a wall or other support and comprisingashelf to which is secured my invention proper. The latter consists, in part, of a main upright cylinder 2, having a base 3, secured to the bracket-shelf 1 by means of bolts 4. On the under side of the shelf is a cock 5, which is screwed into an opening 3 in the cylinderbase 3 and through which water may be drained from the cylinder. Within the cylinder is a piston 6, having a lower extension 6 threaded on its outer end to receive a nut 7, which holds in place the washer 8 and the flexible cup 9, the latter being made, preferably, of leather or rubber, the rim of which is adapted to press closely against the interior walls of the cylinder 2 to prevent Water or other fluid which enters the cylinder 2 through pipe 10 from passing the piston 6. In the upper side of the piston is a threaded opening into which is screwed a plug 11, to which is hinged the lower end of a piston-rod 12 by means of apivot-pin 13, which passes through the end of the piston-rod 12 and the plug 11. Suitably secured to the upper end of the cylinder 2 is a collar 14, to the upper edge of which a cap or head 15 is secured by means of screws 16. Said cap 15 has a central aperture 15, through which extends and works the pistonrod 12, to the upper end of which is hinged one end of a lever 17, fulcrumed between two arms or supports 18, projecting from the cap 15. Secured to the outer end of the lever 17 is a cord or chain 19, which passes over the pulleys 20 and has its opposite end secured to the lever 21 of the damper 21 in the smoke-stack 22. Said damper is normally held in an open position by means of a weight 23, suspended from the outer end of the damper-lever 21. Located adjacent to the upper right-hand portion of the cylinder 2, as shown in Fig. 1, is a casing 24, which has an inlet 24, adapted to be connected to any available supply of fluid under pressure, preferably the water or steam in the boiler in which the pressure is to be controlled. Said casing has also an exhaust 24 and a chamber 24, the rear end of the former communicating with the upper end of the cylinder 2 through pipe 25, the chamber 24 being connected to and communicating with the lower end of the cylinder 2 through pipes 26 and 10, the adjacent ends of which are connected to each other by a union 27. Said chamber 24 is connected also with inlet 24 and exhaust 24 through inlet-passage 24 and exhaust-passage 24 respectivel y. These passages are controlled by means of an inlet-valve plug 28 and an exhaust-valve plug 29, respectively, which valve-plugs extend through the casing 24: transversely to and intersect the inlet and exhaust passages 2 1 and 24 respectively. valve plugs have, respectively, ports 28 and 29*, which are adapted to extend transversely to or to communicate with said inlet and exl l l l haust passages 2 1 and 24 respectively. Said 1 valve-plugs28 and 29 and their seats are tapering, the former being held in place by coil-springs 30 and 31, which are held under tension between the exterior of the casing 2a and the nuts 32 and 33, secured to the smaller ends of the valve-plugs 28 and 29, respectively, thus making the valves self-adjustable as to wear. The opposite or large ends of the valve-plugs are provided with transverse arms or levers 3a and 35, respectively, which are adapted to partially rotate the valve-plugs 28 and 29 and which have their outer ends hinged to a turnbuckle by means of the pins 36 36 Said turnbuckle consists of a sleeve 36, having its ends interiorly threaded with right and left hand threads to receive the threaded ends of the rods 36 36, carrying lock-nuts 36 36. The lower end of the turnbuckle is hinged at pin 36 to the upper end of an auxiliary piston-rod 37, which has its lower end hinged to a piston-head 38, operating in an auxiliary cylinder 39, having a lower tubular extension or stem 39, the lower end of which is exteriorly threaded, passed through a'suitable opening in the bracket-shelf, and secured thereto by means of lock-nuts L0 and 10. Said extension is adapted to be connected with any available supply of fluid under pressure, preferably with the water or steam in the boiler to which the device is attached. The auxiliary cylinder has secured to its upper end a head 11, having a central aperture 11, through which extends the auxiliary piston-rod 37, surrounding which, between the cap 11 and the piston 38, is a spiral spring 42, adapted to cause the piston 38 to return to the lower end of its cylinder after the pressure is cut off below the piston. This cutting off is effected by the tapering valve-plug 13, extending transversely through the auxiliary cylinder-stem 39, intersecting the passage 39 in the latter and having a port 4:3,adapted to extend transversely to or to communicate with the said interior passage 39 in the stem 39. Said valve-plug 13 is held in place by a spiral spring 14 in the same manner as are valve-plugs 28 and 29 and is in the same manner adjustable as to wear. The opposite or large end of said valve-plug 43 is provided With a transverse arm or lever 13", adapted to partially rotate said valve-plug43. Lo-

The casing 45 is provided with a top A8, having a flange 48 which is secured to an annu- Said inlet and exhaust lar flange 45" on the upper part of the casing 45. Between these flanges is stretched a diaphragm 17, consisting of a flexible disk of rubber or the like, the edge of which is secured between said flanges 4:5 and 48. Said diaphragm supports a bearing 50 and an adjustable threaded post 51. The latter passes through said bearing and the diaphragm. Nuts 52 and 53 on the post serve to adjust the latter and hold the bearing in place. The up per end of the post extends above the top of the casing 48 and is borne upon by a horizontal lever 54, which is fulcrumed near its right-hand end on post -18", projecting upwardly from the casing. On the said lever to the left of post 51 is placed a slidable weight to regulate the pressure of the lever upon the post. The opposite end of the lever 54 is bifurcated and is adapted to engage and to operate lever 13. In lever 54 are several openings 5 1, adapted to receive the hooked lower end of a spiral spring 56, which has its upper end connected with a cord 57, which passes over a pulley 58, supported above the cylinder-cap 15, and has its opposite end secured in the opening 12 in the piston-rod 12.

After my improved damper-regulator has been properly secured in place and suitable connections made as described its operation is as follows: As the pressure in the boiler increases and the water therefrom, acting upon the diaphragm, tends to raise the weighted end of lever 54 the weight 55 is adjusted so as to balance whatever pressure it is desired to maintain say ninety-five pounds to the square inch. Then any appreciable increase in the pressure-say ninety-six pounds-will lift the diaphragm, raise the weighted end of lever 54:, and lower its opposite end and the adjacent on d of the lever 43", thus turning the valve-plug 43 so that its port 13 communicates with the passage 39 in the auxiliary-cylinder stem, thus permitting the fluid to enter the auxiliary cylinder 39 and lift the auxiliary piston 38,which operates to close the exhaust-valve 29 and open the inlet-valve 28. The operation described taking place, the water from the boiler passes through the inlet-passage 24. into chamber 2A, thence through pipes 26 and 10 into the lower end of the main cylinder 2 and lifts the main piston 6, which operates the lever 17 and the cord or chain 19 to close or partially close the dam per 21. As the piston 6 ascends it gradually lessens the tension of spring 56, which is equivalent to increasing the load represented by the weight 55, causing the lever 54.

cated to the left of the auxiliary-cylinder l to gradually return to its normal position, and

stem 39 is a diapl1ragm-casing 15, having an thereby closing valve 453. As there is a slight exteriorly-threaded downward extension or leakage past auxiliary piston 38, the latter is tubular stem 15, extending through and se- 1 gradually cured by means of nut 16 to the shelf 1" and adapted to be connected with the water in the boiler in which pressure is to be maintained.

forced downward by the spring 12, thus gradually closing inlet-valve 28, and thereby arresting motion of the main piston 6, incidentally holding the damper 21 in its adjusted position and gradually opening the exhaust-valve 29, thus allowing the water from the main cylinder 2 to escape therethrough as the damper-weight 23, pulling upwardly the outer end of lever 17 and depressing its opposite end, pushes the main piston 6 downward and opens the damper. If the leakage past auxiliary piston 38 is not rapid enough, a small cook (shown in Fig. 5) may be employed to control said leakage and may, if desired, be operated mechanically in such manner as to open when valve 43 closes or to close when the latter valve opens. By experiment the action of the parts, as above described, takes place with from one to two pounds excess pressure above the normal or predetermined point. If before piston 6 descends to bottom of cylinder the pressure should again increase, the diaphragm will again rise and the whole operation be repeated, thus lifting the main piston another step of its stroke or perhaps to the top of the cylinder and nearly or entirely closing the damper, after which the pressure will presently fall, and as it does so the diaphragm and the lever 54 will return to their normal positions, opening exhaust-valve 29 and allowing weight 23 to again open damper, as previously described. As the piston 6 descends and diminishes the load on the lever 54 by increasing the tension of the spring 56 the pressure, if still high, may again raise the diaphragm, close exhaust-valve 29, and temporarily arrest the descent of the main piston 6 until there is a further fall in pressure. Then the exhaustvalve will again open and allow the piston 6 to continue its descent and the damper to open farther until the pressure again rises and the operations described will be repeated.

The number of pounds the pressure is allowed to rise after the main piston 6 begins to ascend is largely determined by the lifting power of the spring 56 on lever 5eL, said lifting power varying according to the distance from the fulcrum-pin 54: that the spring 56 is attached to the lever 54:. By disconnecting the spring 56 from said lever the action is positive and on a very fine variation not exceeding two pounds of pressure. The lap of the valves 28 and 29 is adjusted by means of the turnbuckle 36. The construction of the entire device is such that all working parts are accessible for examination or repairs.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Asteam-boiler-furnace-damperregulator comprising a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and on its outward stroke to close a furnace-damper, a weight adapted to cause the return stroke of, the piston and to open the damper, a supplypipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a boiler to the lower end of the main cylinder and having an inlet-valve adapted to control the flow of said fluid, said pipe communicating also with an exhaust-passage having an exhaust-valve adapted to control the flow of fluid from said cylinder through said exhaust-passage thereby controlling the return stroke of said piston, each of said valves havinga transverse arm projecting therefrom, a turnbuckle hinged to the outer ends of said arms and adapted to adjust the relative positions of said inlet and exhaust valves, an auxiliary cylinder having therein a piston hinged to said turnbuckle and adapted to operate said valves, a feed-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a source of supply to the auxiliary cylinder and having a valve adapted to control the flow of said fluid, a pressure chamber adapted to communicate with a boiler and having a flexible diaphragm responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the boiler, a loaded lever fulcrumed above and operated from said diaphragm and in turn adapted to operate the valve of the auxiliary cylinder, and an adjustable yielding means connecting said loaded lever with the piston in the main cylinder.

2. Asteam-boiler-furnace-damperregulator comprising a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and to close a furnace-dam per, means adapted to cause the return stroke of the piston and to open the damper, a supply-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a boiler to the lower end of the main cylinder and having an inletvalve adapted to control the flow ofsaid fluid, said pipe communicating also with an exhaustpassage having an exhaust-valve adapted to control the flow of fluid from said cylinder through said exhaust-passage, each of said valves having a transverse arm projecting therefrom, a turnbuckle hinged to the outer ends of said arms and adapted to adjust the relative positions of said inlet and exhaust valves, a cylinder having therein an auxiliary piston hinged to said turnbuckle and adapted to operate said valves, a feed-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a source of supply to the auxiliary cylinder, a valve adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the feed-pipe, a pressure-chamber adapted to communicate with a boiler and having a flexible diaphragm responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the boiler, and a loaded lever fulcrumed above and operated from said diaphragm and in turn operating the valve of the auxiliary cylinder.

3. Asteamboiler-furnacedamperregulator comprising a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and to close a furnace-damper, a supply-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure from a boiler to the lower end of the main cylinder, an inlet-valve adapted to control the flow of said fluid, said pipe communicating also with an exhaust-passage having an exhaust-valve adapted to control the escape of fluid from said cylinder, each of said valves having a their rotative positions, an auxiliary cylinder transverse arm projecting therefrom, a turnhaving therein a piston connected with said buckle connecting the outer ends of said arms, means and adapted to operate said valve-plugs, an auxiliary cylinder having therein a piston a feed-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under connected with said turnbuckle and adapted pressure to the auxiliary cylinder, a valveto operate said valves, a feed-pipe connected I plug adapted to control the flow of the fluid with the auxiliary cylinder and adapted to be through the feed pipe, a pressure-chamber connected with a supply of fluid under presadapted to communicate with aboiler and havsure, a valve adapted to control the flow of L ing a flexible diaphragm responsive to the the fluid through the feed-pipe, a pressurepressure in the boiler, and a loaded lever opchamber adapted to communicate with a boiler erated by means connecting it with the diaand having a flexible diaphragm responsive phragm and adapted to operate the valve-plug to the pressure of the fluid in the boiler, and

i of the auxiliary cylinder. a loaded lever fulcrumed above and operated i 6. In a steam-boilerfurnace-damper reguby means connecting it with the diaphragm lator, a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and to operate a furnace-damper, a supply-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to the main cylinder, an inlet-valve adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the supply-pipe, an exhaust-passage communicating with the main cylinder, an exhaust-valve adapted to control the flow of fluid through the exhaust-passage and consequently the return stroke of the piston, means connecting the valves, an auxiliary cylinder having therein a piston connected with said means and adapted to operate said valves, a feed-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to the auxiliary cylinder, a valve adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the feed-pipe, and means responsive to the pressure in'the boiler and adapted to operate the latter valve.

7. In a device of the character stated, a main cylinder having therein a piston, a supplypipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to said main cylinder, an inlet-valve adapted to control the flow of the said fluid through said supply-pipe, an exhaust-valve adapted to control the flow of fluid from the main cylinder, means connecting the inlet-valve with the exhaust-valve, an auxiliary cylinder having therein a piston connected with said means and adapted to operate said valves, a feed-pipe adapted to conductfluid under pressure to said auxiliary cylinder, a valve adapted to control the flow of fluid through said feed-pipe, and means responsive to a supply of fluid under pressure and adapted to operate the latter valve.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPHRAIM K. HUTGHISON.

Witnesses:

J. M. BENNETT, OSCAR P. QUINTRELL.

and in turn operating the valve of the auxiliary cylinder.

a. In a steam-boiler-furnace-damper regulater, a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and to operate a furnace-damper, a supply-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to the main cylinder, an inlet-valve plug adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the feed-pipe, an exhaust-passage communicating w ith the main cylinder, an exhaust-valve plug adapted to control the flow of fluid through the exhaustpassage and consequently the return stroke of the piston, a transverse arm projecting from each of said valve-plugs, means connecting the arms and adapted to relatively adjust the rotative positions of the valve-plugs,an auxiliary cylinder having therein a piston connected with said means and adapted to partially rotate said valve-plugs, a feed-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to the auxiliary cylinder, a valve-plug adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the feed-pipe, a pressure-chamber adapted to communicate with a boiler and having a flexible diaphragm responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the boiler, and a loaded lever operated by means connecting it with the diaphragm and adapted to operate the valve-plug of the auxiliary cylinder.

5. In a steam-boiler-furnace-damper regulator, a main cylinder having therein a piston adapted to be connected with and to operate a furnace-damper, a supply-pipe adapted to conduct fluid under pressure to the main cylinder, an. inlet-valve plug adapted to control the flow of the fluid through the supply-pipe, an exhaust-passage communicating with the main cylinder, an exhaust-valve plug adapted l to control the flow of fluid through the exhaustpassage and consequently the return stroke of the piston, means connecting the valve-plugs and adapted to relatively adjust 

